Having difficulty getting correct posture

[Siberian Husky]

i have a quick question on piano playing posture..only because i know im doing it all wrong...and i know this because..after 30-45 minutes of sitting at the piano...i get kinks and pains in my neck...should one arch their back slightly inward..outward?..vertically straight?..or is it different for everyone?

[silva]

I always thought sit up straight, arms bent at the elbo slightly and hands like holding a small ball

[xvimbi]

If your teacher can't answer this question, then the biggest favor you can possibly do for yourself is to get informed very well about all those issues before you acquire bad habits. Get the book "What every pianist needs to know about the body" from Thomas Mark (Amazon has it). If I had had this book from the beginning, I would most likely not have had that many injuries (both from piano playing as well as from every day activities).

To answer your specific question. Your head should be balanced over your spine, which should be balanced over your sitting bones, which should be balanced on your bench. In addition, you need to relax your back muscles (shoulders relaxed, i.e down). Practically every such problem is related to unnecessary tension in some muscles.

Get the book. 

[bravuraoctaves]

Sit in your bench and get ready to play.

Now follow these instructions.

1. Get up and stand up staight as tall as possible
2. Sit down keeping your back in exactly the same position


I may be wrong :

All your weight should be chanelled down into the stool or your fingers.